Combined lap-board and blackboard attachment for a table-desk.



W. G. MILES. COMBINED LAB BOARD AND BLAGKBOARD ATTACHMENT FOR A TABLEDESK.

APPLICATION FILED MAE. 7. 1911. 1,100,983, Patented June 23, 1914,

2 SHEETS HEET 1- u 1 CL All W. C. MILES.

COMBINED LAP BOARD AND BLAGKBOARD ATTACHMENT FOR A TABLE DESK.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, 1911.

1,100,983, Patented June 23, 1914.

2 $HEETSSHEET 2.

QVi'lMewc-o: v C I gvwenfoz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIS C. MILES, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

COMBINED LAP-BOARD AND BLACKIBOARD ATTACHMENT FOR A TABLE-DESK.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented une 23, 1914,

Application filed March 7, 1911. Serial No. 612,852. l

black-board hinged at one end of the table frame, to turn on atransverse axis, the free end being in a position to be held on the lapof the user; the dotted lines represent the position of the black-boardwhen in use and held in place by the desk attached to the under side ofa movable table top. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the table deskillustrated in Fig. 1, but in a closed position, the table to restingupon, and the desk resting within t e table frame. Fig. 8 illustratesthe black-board or lap-board hinged transversely to the table frame asshown in Fig. 1, the desk employed being constructed or built in theframe, with a hinged top as a-writing surface. Fig. 4 is a table deskwith the lapboard or black-board attached thereto,and built on linessimilar to the one illustrated in Fig. 3, the table top as well as thedesk top being made in two sections.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device adapted toenter in combination with a chi-lds table or table desk, arranged toanswer a two-fold purpose, viz :-that of a black-board'in an uprightposition, and also that of a lap-board held on the lap of the user in ahorizontal position or nearly so to serve the purpose of a slate. Toconstruct an article of this character. 'ap licant employs an ordinarytable or affords means also whereby two children can use the same. Thelap-board answering-the use of a slate may also be employed for hold--ing books,.papers, pads, etc-., when resting on the lap of the user; Tothis combination a book-case may possibly be attached or it may beomitted when expedient to reduce weight and bulk of the tructure.

There are many known ways and means of placing a desk in combinationwith a table; consequently applicant does not confine himself to any oneform of table or desk so long as the same be adapted to receive theinvention in combination. Possibly the form of table and desk shown inFig. 1 of the drawings may be preferred, as the desk answers a two-foldpurpose in that it may be employed not only as a desk but also providesmeans most suitable for holding the black-board upright at a properangle for use. Similar letters and numerals refer to simi lar partsthroughout the several views illuswhich applicant attaches hisimprovedblack-board and lap-board as set forth;

4% represents a tray or receptacle for ink, pens, pencils, chalk,erasers, etc., or other articles necessary or convenient to the user ofthe black-board or desk. The same may be located preferably in such aposition that the person at the desk as well as the user of theblackboard may have easy access thereto. I

5 represents any desk in combination with an ordinary table which willform what is known as a table desk, and the same may be constructed asshown in the drawings or otherwise as may be referred.

6 are the pigeon oles or compartments comprised in the various desks.

7 represents a desk leaf or closure, and the same may be in the formshown in Fig. 1 or connected-as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 or otherwise asmay be preferred.

8 is a book-case sometimes connected to the table frame.

9 are the supports to the table and the.

a represents an improved two-faced blackboard arranged to be alsoemployed as a lapboard constructed of pulp and surfaced wlth a silicateor black-board composition adapted to be written upon with chalk orsoapstone pencil. The said board is so connected that by beingmanipulated either side may be used as a black-board, the one side wh lethe user is standing, the other side while the user is seated. It willbe seen that while the same is held upon the lap of the user, theinvention practically serves the purposes of an ordinar slate.

b is. the sur ace or side of the board when the same is employed in thecapacity of a slate as aforesaid. 0 represents the other side of theboard which, when thrown in an upright position, is adapted for use asablack-board;

d is the end of the board connected or hinged transversely to the end ofthe table frame, while a is the free end of the board.

f represents aprop or any other means employed to hold the black-boardin an upri ht position for use. v

ig. 1 of the drawings illustrates a form of desk connected to the underside of a hinged table to which, when manipulated, is raised an loweredinto and out of the frame. Applicant prefers this form of desk as meansmost suitable to hold the black-board in an upri ht position as shownbydotted lines. App icant, however, does not confine himself to eitherof the forms shown in Figs. 1 and 3- as there are various devices knownand in use that may be employed.

It will be noted that in the construction of a device of this characteradapted to the use of a child it is not essential that any set rules ofconstruction either in the table, desk or receptacle be followed.Generally the cheapest construction would find the best market'as thedevice is not necessarily an article of furniture like that for the useof an adult. Therefore, a form of stand in'lieu of a table with theequivalent of a desk connected thereto might recommend itself to thepublic which, at the same time, would serve to lighten the structure tosuch an extent that a child could easily move it from place to place orcarry it around. Consequently, applicant does not confine himself to thede- Having described my invention, I claim 1, The combination with atable or stand provided with a movable top, of a normally dependingblackboard member provided with an opaque coatingon both sides, saidblackboard member being pivoted at its upper end to one end of saidtable or stand below said top to permit the free end of the black-boardto be placed on the lap of the user with one opaque face exposed, and

a prop member for su porting said blackboard member with its ree endelevated and the other opaque surface exposed when said top hasbeenmoved to open osition, said prop member being contained within 'thetable or stand beneath said top when the latter is closed.

2. The combination with a table or stand provided with a bookcasesection located at one end thereof, said table or stand being provided.with a movable top, of a door or closure for the book case sectioncomprising .a normally depending blackboard member provided with anopaque coating on both sides, said blackboard member being pivoted atits upper end to'the end of the table or stand ad acent said book casesection below said top to permit the free end ofthe blackboard to beplaced on the lap of the user with one opaque face exposed, and a propmember for supporting said blackboard member with its free'end elevatedand the other opaque surface exposed when said top has been moved toopen position, said prop member being contained withinthe table or standbeneath said top when the latter is closed. R In testimony whereof Ihave signed my name to this specification in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

WILLIS 0. MILES. Witnesses:

LIZZIE BROWN, R. K. SMITH.

